‘Make note of the person you take from, and I will see them compensated when I am returned to power. Does that satisfy you?’

‘Can’t we just say that you need it, my lord? Any good person would be happy to help you.’

‘My enemies will be listening for my name. It is too dangerous. Can you do this for me, Tal? Can you rise above your own concerns to serve your house in its time of need?’

‘I— I can, my lord.’

‘Good, then go. And go carefully.’

Tal is a good friend but he is clumsy. He shouldn’t have to go alone. ‘I’ll come with you,’ said Sa-at.

‘No,’ replied Rochant. ‘I need one of you to stay with me.’

‘I’ll be alright,’ said Tal.

He does not sound alright.

He sounds all sad.

He sounds all scared.

But Sa-at did not say these things. He sensed that to do so would make it worse for his friend, not better. I must be like Rochant and make my face and feelings say different things. So instead of showing his worry, he said: ‘Yes, you will.’

Tal nodded to him and bowed to Rochant, and then plunged into the rain. Sa-at watched his hunched form get smaller and smaller, and he wondered if he would ever see him again. To his shame, it only took a minute for him to realize that now he could hear the rest of the story.

Rochant seemed able to read his thoughts. And when he asked: ‘Shall I continue?’ Sa-at could not help but smile and nod.

A scene of happy chaos greeted Vasin as he crossed the Bridge of Friends and Fools, and walked through the gates of Lord Rochant’s floating castle. He was late. High Lord Yadavendra would notice. The others would notice too, a mark against him at the worst possible time. There was no sign of judgement in the courtyard however, quite the opposite. It was usual for there to be an air of celebration when a rebirth was successful, but this was something else, jubilation bordering on mania. His arrival, armoured, and with two Deathless from another house, only added to the mix.

There is such love for Rochant among the people, he thought, not without a little envy.

He did his best to smooth the way for Lady Pari and Lord Arkav with the guards, and started towards the keep. The crowd parted for him and his appearance did prompt cheering, which lifted his spirits somewhat.

By the time he reached the Chrysalis Chamber the Gardener-smiths were waiting for him. Each piece of armour was carefully removed and he saw how they had put up temporary dividers to split the room into sections, to give each set of armour its own space.